Mali: report 2008
July 2008 : All the children arriving at the UREN (Nutritional Recovery Unit) this month have been severe cases of hunger, anaemia and immune deficiency, exacerbated by illnesses which have been left untreated due to lack of parental funds. With much love Sophie brings them back to life and most of them leave within a few weeks, fully recovered and happy. It is a great pleasure for the parents and us to see them recover their zest for life.
The contract with UNICEF is now signed. Malnutrition cases will be treated in the 17 community health centres under the control of Sophie and her team of 4 helpers. They will lead the health workers during the nutritional check ups. Retraining sessions are also planned to help maintain and extend staff capabilities. Three weeks of intensive theoretical and practical training is given to new staff, culminating in exams.
The orphans are doing well thanks to close scrutiny. A cold or an outbreak of malaria, caught early enough, can be prevented from developing into bronchitis or something more severe.
August - September 2008 : Both have been very difficult months. The heavy rain has made our work very dangerous and travel has been severely affected by the closure of several roads.
Following the recent signing of the agreement with UNICEF, we have entered into an arrangement with the World Food Programme whereby they provide us with the basic foods necessary for the treatment of malnourished children. We are now in a position to reliably provide cover in this area. This partnership reminds Sophie of the quote from St Augustine :
" God provides the wind, it is up to Man to raise the sail "
Mariam has left us to continue her studies at Nursing College , we wish her every success.
The milk distributions continue in the townhall courtyard under the same challenging circumstances. The knowledge that work should soon begin on the construction of our new centre brings much relief. The children will have a roof to shelter them and we will be able to work in a clean environment more appropriate to our work.
We are currently caring for 148 children up to the age of 5, of which 23 are under 12 months old. Children over the age of 5 may be sent to school but this doesn't always happen as they are often needed by their families. We can do nothing about this as schooling is a right but not an obligation.
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Many under-nourished children
Transport of raw materials
